Oilers Prospect Update: Positive early results for new-look AHL Condors

As I said, the former Terrier has been all over the ice creating offence, and the next clip supports this testament as Hutson creates a great chance in front of the net and, seconds later, nearly walks the puck into the goal with his excellent puck-handling ability.

One of the most exciting parts of his game is his timing. In the final clip below, watch how high he stays in the zone, waiting for the perfect opportunity to funnel to the net and create a chance. This is a very translatable and valuable trait to have if you want to be a scorer, as it helps you find the “soft” spots in the offensive zone.

If Hutson continues to play the way he has, the points will come. The first line of him and Seth Griffith, centered by Viljami Marjala, is a creative one, and offence will flow from those three. Marjala and Hutson seem to have developed chemistry, connecting on several give-and-go plays and in-tight passing sequences. Marjala loves working below the goal line with all eyes on him, which should benefit both himself and Quinn Hutson due to his off-puck timing. I’m excited to see this duo continue to grow together.

Josh Samanski – Centre

Josh Samanski is an intriguing package. Standing at six-foot-three and weighing 190 pounds, the German centre is extremely mobile, with quick first steps and strong acceleration. Not only is his skating impressive, but his work rate in every zone is excellent. Samanski doesn’t cheat for offence, yet he’s an effective forechecker who consistently applies pressure. In the second game against the Barracuda and the third against the Firebirds, Samanski showed off some exceptional work in transition, which you can see in the clips below.

Samanski has very clean skating mechanics and uses them to his advantage whenever possible. The big centre has two assists in three games played so far, along with three shots on goal. One of those shots came on a partial break where Samanski just couldn’t finish, as you’ll see in the final clip below.

Even in clips where the focal point isn’t his skating, it often becomes the takeaway anyway. There’s a decent gap between him and the Barracuda defenceman, but Samanski blows right by him as the San Jose player struggles to transition back to a forward stride. That’s all the strong-skating centre needs to generate a high-danger chance. I can see the vision for Samanski, and I can see a world where he develops into a reliable fourth-liner who forechecks you to death with his ability to move around the ice so effortlessly.

Matt Copponi – Centre

I only have one clip of Copponi (though it’s a great one), but I like his game early on. A rookie on a minor-league deal, Copponi is playing down the lineup to start the year, but is earning solid penalty-kill minutes. With just one assist so far, the stats don’t jump out at you, but the finer details in his game are things you can appreciate. Whether it’s a simple hook pass under the opponent’s stick, positioning himself as an effective F3, or applying pressure at the right moments, Copponi does the little things very well.

It speaks volumes when a player consistently sticks as a centre, no matter the jersey he’s wearing, and that’s exactly the case with Copponi. Coaches love him in that spot, and I can see why. Now, about that clip — Copponi hops off the bench to kill a penalty alongside James Hamblin and immediately pressures the puck carrier, forcing a drop pass to the forward with pace. Copponi stays on him, applies pressure again, and creates a turnover.

I don’t expect Copponi to light up the scoresheet, but he has some excellent defensive traits that translate well to the NHL. His hockey sense is elite for a young player, but the question will be whether his physical traits and skill level can rise to meet that same standard. That will be the main focus moving forward with the young pivot.

The Condors will be a good team this year — and a fun one — with all the youth and skill they’ve injected into the lineup. Of note, Roby Järventie missed the game against the Firebirds, but that’s part of his rehab plan after missing almost all of last season. The Finnish winger has two goals and two assists in his two games so far. This weekend, they’ll play a back-to-back in Tucson on the 24th and 25th.

That’s all for the first iteration of the American Hockey League update. I’m excited to continue watching this young team grow together as a unit throughout the season.